CarSpecsHQ

285/45R20 vs 265/45R21

265/45R21 is a safe swap for 285/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.97%.

20" → 21"
285/45R20 30.10" · 265/45R21 30.39" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/45R20265/45R21Difference
Overall diameter30.10"30.39"+0.29" (+0.97%)
Section width285 mm265 mm-20 mm
Sidewall5.05"4.69"-0.35"
Rim20"21"+1"
Circumference94.6"95.5"+0.9"
Revs per mile670664-6
Ride height——+0.15"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.6+0.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.6 mph

With 265/45R21 on a car calibrated for 285/45R20, the speedometer reads 59.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.6 mph
70 mph70.7 mph
80 mph80.8 mph

Other sizes close to 285/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 285/45R20 with 265/45R21?

265/45R21 is a safe swap for 285/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.97%.

What's the difference between 285/45R20 and 265/45R21?

265/45R21 is 0.29" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is -0.35". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.6 mph.

Will 265/45R21 fit on 285/45R20 wheels?

No — 285/45R20 needs a 20" wheel and 265/45R21 a 21" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.